Time-tested backyard games get kids moving!
Like duck-duck-goose or a game of tag, some games are classics – they are simply FUN!
Here are three games that Bur Bur enjoys with his friends Anna, Mateo, Connor and Lily. They get the kids moving, laughing and best of all, enjoying active play.
Scavenger hunt
For ages 2+
Number of players: 2 or more
Draw a list of simple items for the kids to search for throughout the yard or park area (i.e., simple drawings of birds, a unique tree, a flower, a barn, or other distinctive landmarks). Give each child a list and encourage them to find each item and check it off with a crayon or marker. Whoever finds all of the items receives a special award or treat for their accomplishment!
Shadow tag
Number of players: 4 or more
For ages 3+
Decide which child will be “it.” When “it” steps on your shadow, you become “it” and try to capture another player’s shadow in turn.
Shark
Number of players: 4 or more
For ages 3+
Place towels, mats, hula hoops or some other flat objects on the ground to serve as “home base” for all of the “fish.” One child is designated as the “shark.” When the shark calls, “Fishie, fishie, cross my sea,” the fish have to move to a different base. If they are tagged while moving across the sea, they become a shark as well. The last remaining fish becomes the first shark in the next round.
Variation: Parents or caregivers can remove mats to make it more challenging and requiring the kids to share space if needed on one mat.
If you have any other great active preschool games, we’d love to hear about them…
Seed Newsvine
July 16th, 2007 at 10:38 am
My kids learned a cool game at the park called “magic”. One person is “it” and closes their eyes. The rest of the kids scatter and aren’t allowed to touch the ground-hence, climing on the playground equipment. If the kids want to move to another place and are caught ‘on the ground’ when the IT person yells MAGIC, they become the ‘IT’ person. It is a great way to use their “hearing” senses as well as staying active. The IT person can yell MAGIC as often as they would like, the key is to listen for footsteps across the ground. I joined in yesterday and it was great fun.